Coupling oxidation to ATP synthesis

High phosphoryl transfer potential compounds can

couple carbon oxidation to ATP synthesis.

Example from glycolysis:

In the next step ATP is harvested from the high
energy phosphate intermediate.
Electron transport chains generate ion
gradients across membranes providing
an important form of cellular energy
that can be coupled to ATP synthesis.
ATP Generation

CHEMIOSMOTIC THEORY

1961 – PETER MITCHELL noted that an intact

inner mitochondrial membrane and a proton
gradient were necessary for ATP generation.

ATP is generated by COMPLEX V or ATP

SYNTHASE using the energy stored in the
electrochemical proton gradient.

also called the F0/F1 COMPLEX.

Recurring Motifs in Metabolism

Activated carriers exemplify the modular

design and economy of metabolism.

Key reactions are reiterated

Metabolic processes are regulated in only

three principal ways
 Activated Carriers

ATP is an activated carrier of phosphate

groups

Other examples include:

Activated carriers of electrons in oxidation
reactions
Activated carriers of electrons in reductive
biosynthesis
Activated carriers of two-carbon fragments
Activated carriers of electrons in catabolism
Activated carriers of electrons in catabolism
Other common activated carriers:
Key reactions
Types of Chemical Reactions in Metabolism
-the basis of all reactions of metabolism

1. Oxidation-Reduction
2. Ligation requiring ATP cleavage
3. Isomerization
4. Group transfer
5. Hydrolytic
6. Addition/removal of functional groups
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
-electron transfer
Ligation reactions
-form covalent bonds by using the free energy
from ATP hydrolysis
Isomerization Reactions
-rearrangement of atoms to form isomers
Group transfer reactions
-transfer of 1 functional group from one
molecule to another
Hydrolytic Reactions
-cleavage of bonds by the addition of water

Hydrolysis of a peptide bond

Lyases
- enzymes that catalyze the addition or the
removal of functional groups to/from double
bonds or the cleavage involving electron
rearrangement
Metabolic processes are regulated in
three different principle ways

• The amount of enzymes (Genetic Control)

– determines the rate of transcription

• The catalytic activity of the enzymes

(Allosteric Control)

• The accessibility of substrates (Competitive

Inhibition)
– controlling the flux of substrates from one
compartment to another